Summary

This position is located in the Audiology & Speech Pathology Section of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&RS) Service at the Central Alabama Veteran's Health Care System (CAVHCS). The duties and responsibilities are carried out throughout the medical center including all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the service. This is an Open Continuous Announcement until September 30 - 2026. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Education: Doctor of Audiology (AUD) from an audiology program recognized by the Accreditation Commission for Audiology Education (ACAE) or Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
• HR office staff and management officials may verify a program's accreditation from ACAE at acaeaccred.org and CAA at caa.asha.org
• OR Other doctoral degree in hearing science or a directly related field from an institution accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
• NOTE: Effective January 1 - 2007 - the CAA in Audiology and Speech- Language Pathology of ASHA accredits only doctoral degree or AUD programs in audiology
• Licensure
• Individuals must hold a full - current - and unrestricted license to practice audiology at the doctoral level in a United States state - territory - commonwealth - or the District of Columbia
• The Under Secretary of Health - or designee - may appoint a candidate without a license who will be assigned to a research - academic - or administrative position with no patient care responsibilities
• In such instances - HR office staff can only appoint these candidates in exceptional circumstances where their credentials demonstrate high professional attainment or expertise in the specialty area
• All audiologists who perform compensation and pension examinations perform direct patient care duties and must possess a full - current - and unrestricted license to practice audiology and must meet the experience requirements under Section 2
• D
• See 38 C.F.R
• § 4.85
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
• Audiologist - GS-12 Grade Determinations: Experience
• In addition to the requirements at the GS-11 level - completion of one year of professional experience comparable to the next lower grade level
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition to the KSAs required at the full performance level - the following KSAs are required: Skill in determining nature - type - and severity of hearing/communication/vestibular disorders
• Skill in counseling patients and family members regarding management of hearing/communication/vestibular disorders
• Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional audiology to other health care professionals
• Ability to independently apply professional contemporary audiologic treatments to the full range of patient populations
• Preferred Experience: N/A Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-12
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service.

Duties

• ASSESSES THE DEGREE & NATURE OF HEARING LOSS: Identifies and evaluates individuals with hearing disorders in the reception and perception of speech - language and other acoustic signals
• Administers the full range of tests including the testing of vestibular nerve function
• evaluates the type and degree of hearing loss for patients who are normally unable to provide consistent and reliable reaction to diagnostics
• RECOMMENDS REMEDIAL MEASURES TO MITIGATE HEARING LOSS: Responsible for direct services of a remedial and sometimes preventative nature
• The services encompass the following: use of hearing aids
• the selection of monaural - binaural or cross hearing aids of particular type
• the issuance of ear defenders for prevention of acoustic trauma for those individuals working in a noisy environment
• recommendations for special ear molds made necessary because of allergic reactions - severe hearing loss or other reasons
• recommendations for procurement of special instruments such as desk amplifiers - telephone amplifiers - radio or TV magnetic induction devices for special communication problems
• routine hearing aid inspection and repair where indicated
• Develops treatment plans for most difficult and complex cases
• Recommends aural rehabilitation programs for patients with significant physical and psychological complicating conditions
• Designs training plans to assist patients and caregivers in utilizing available hearing resources
• Performs other related duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm (Work schedule based on the needs of the agency) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 60571F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized